we have been working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have been working" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "We have been working on this project for several months now, and we are making significant progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We have been working on this awhile.

The New York Times - Tech

"We have been working on doing that.

The New York Times

"We have been working on this.

The New York Times

We have been working towards this day".

The Guardian - Business

"We have been working flat out.

The Guardian

"We have been working on this concept for nine months.

The New York Times

We have been working on this for three years.

Independent

"We have been working for this target since 1959.

The New York Times

"We have been working really hard on our starts.

The New York Times

We have been working with censorship for almost five decades".

The New York Times

"We have been working well," Forlán said on the field.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past projects, consider using the simple past tense ("we worked") instead, which indicates the action is completed.

Common error

Avoid using "we have been working" when the project is finished and you want to emphasize the completion of a task. In such cases, the simple past tense "we worked" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have been working" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action that began in the past and is still ongoing. Ludwig confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we have been working" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile phrase used to describe ongoing efforts. As Ludwig confirms, it's commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. To use it effectively, remember to reserve it for actions that started in the past and continue into the present. Consider alternatives like "we have strived" or "we've been toiling" to adjust the nuance. Avoid using it when describing completed actions, where the simple past tense is more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we've been striving

Uses a synonym for "working" and a contraction, slightly less formal.

we've been toiling

Replaces "working" with "toiling", implying harder or more sustained effort.

we have labored

Employs "labored", suggesting strenuous work over a period.

we have strived

Substitutes "working" with "strived", indicating effort towards a goal.

we have dedicated ourselves

Replaces "working" with a phrase indicating commitment of time and effort.

we have exerted ourselves

Uses a more formal expression to indicate dedicated effort.

we've devoted ourselves

Uses a synonym indicating a strong commitment, making it slightly more emphatic.

we have been busy

Uses a more general term to describe activity, which is less specific than "working".

our team has been active

Shifts the focus to the team and uses a general term for activity.

we've made efforts

Focuses on the action of making efforts rather than the continuous process of working.

FAQs

How can I use "we have been working" in a sentence?

Use "we have been working" to describe an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. For example, "We have been working on this project for six months, and we expect to finish soon".

What can I say instead of "we have been working"?

You can use phrases like "we have strived", "we've been toiling", or "we have dedicated ourselves" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "we have been work" instead of "we have been working"?

No, "we have been work" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "we have been working", which uses the present participle of the verb "work".

What is the difference between "we worked" and "we have been working"?

"We worked" indicates a completed action in the past, while "we have been working" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, "We worked on the project last year" versus "We have been working on the project since January".